(Radio Iowa) - The U-S Navy submarine that's named after the state of Iowa is back at port in Connecticut after its first test drives -- and test dives -- in the Atlantic Ocean.
Mat Tanner, a retired Navy Chief submariner and executive director of the U-S-S Iowa Commissioning Committee, says the 377-foot long nuclear-powered submarine has completed its Alpha and Bravo levels of testing, where the sub is put through its paces. Tanner says, so far, so good -- no major issues.
The three-billion-dollar submarine will have a crew of 120 enlisted personnel and 14 officers. The sub will become the fourth U-S Navy vessel to be named after the state of Iowa and Tanner says all appears on schedule for commissioning and the start of full-service military duty early next spring.